Isabel Toledo: 'Plus-Size Women Are Some of the Savviest, Most Fashionable Women'

Even though she's been designing for 30 years—and made Michelle Obama's outfit for the 2009 Inauguration, no small feat—Isabel Toledo's not really a household name. She might be soon, though, thanks to the fashion designer's new partnership with plus-size retailer Lane Bryant. With the high fashion and mass market collaboration space so crowded it's really more like a mosh pit (Jason Wu for Target, Lanvin for H&M, Mary Katrantzou for Topshop), Bryant and Toledo's pairing is the first of its kind—mass market and high fashion, yes, but also plus-size.

It's also full of choices, to boot: The first collection, which spans sizes 14 through 24 and costs between $60 and $178, contains over 50 pieces—and is just the first of four collections that'll roll out later this year. Not only are there great basics (pretty black dresses, sharp white coats), there are some wonderfully out-there offerings, too, which plus-size women don't often get enough of, like a tangerine dress or a geometric print blouse. Here, we caught up with Toledo to hear about the design process, the reaction to the collaboration so far, and how she envisions plus-size women everywhere wearing the new pieces.

On the design process for the collection:

I adore versatility in clothes. I wanted to design a complete wardrobe for women so that spring items will work later with summer and autumn pieces. It's like designing a family tree: They all have to like each other and get along well in your closet!

On why she made so many items (50!):

Diversity and having enough fashion choices is always the key to fashion satisfaction for me. I like to mix it up, and so do most women I know. Having enough fashion choices is what every woman craves so she can shape her own look with individuality.

On the reaction from plus-size women around her:

Love at first sight! The plus women around me are some of the savviest, most fashionable women I know. They like their curves and know their clothes well. They know how to use fashion to their best advantage. I am getting high marks from them for all the clean and tailored fitted coats and dresses.

On her favorites from the collection:

I love dresses. I am most in love with the floaty black chiffon dress, which looks great with heels, or simple summer black sandals, or worn over leggings, like a beatnik goth-y tunic.

I also love all the summer coats worn with soft, rolled up sleeves like a shirt. And I love the Cubist shirts worn as short summer dresses over leggings or jeans, very mod, and a new take on New Wave when worn with geometric jewelry.

On her hopes for the collection:

I just want to give the plus-size woman great design elements, so she can create her own style. If a woman feels good in her clothes, she projects strength and happiness, and that's always beautiful.

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